Josiah Viergutz Josiah Viergutz

The difference between skeuomorphism and neuomorphism

Skeuomorphism and neuomorphism are two design styles that have been used in user interfaces (UI) for digital products. They both aim to create a realistic and intuitive experience for the users, but they have different approaches and effects.

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Josiah Viergutz Josiah Viergutz

The benefits of minimalist design and how to achieve it

Minimalist design is a style of design that focuses on simplicity, functionality and elegance. It aims to reduce clutter, distractions and unnecessary elements, and to highlight the essential features and content. Minimalist design can be applied to various domains, such as web design, graphic design, interior design, architecture and product design.

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Josiah Viergutz Josiah Viergutz

Learning and performing new skills are easy; Problem solving is not

We have two minds. Not literally. That’d be creepy. Our brain is split into three primary functional areas:

The old (croc) brain separates all of our surroundings into three categories — consisting of edible, dangerous or sexy. It also regulates primal functions such as breathing, digestion and reflexive actions. The second part is the midbrain and it controls emotions. Finally, the third section is the new brain. The new brain is responsible for intentional, purposeful actions such as planning.

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Josiah Viergutz Josiah Viergutz

We perceive what we expect

Our outlook on our surroundings are influenced on three primary factors, which are our past experiences, our present — current context and our future goals.

Our past experiences influence how we react given a certain situation. EULAs as well as how people use the web are great examples of this. Our experience with EULAs tell us that they are not interesting, so they shouldn’t be read even though they contain important information regarding use of that service or application.

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Josiah Viergutz Josiah Viergutz

The effective project manager: the essential skills

It’s been said that project management is an accidental profession. Most people want to become a programmer, video editor or IT specialists. They don’t expect to take on a project and content management leadership role.

There’s no specific personality type that makes the perfect project manager. That being said, the person who takes on the role must be able to find a balance between a number of key areas:

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Josiah Viergutz Josiah Viergutz

Reading is unnatural

We’re wired for language, but not for reading

Because reading and writing weren’t common until four or five centuries ago, our natural tendency to learn how to read. Reading is an acquired skill that takes practice to master, whereas learning how to speak a language is second nature.

We can learn a language simply by listening to what is being spoken around us.

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Josiah Viergutz Josiah Viergutz

Information Design: Something New, Something Old

Information Design is a new arena of activity. People will always use what they find easiest and what’s available to them at the time to make a point or send a message. Which is fine as long as they don’t stay in the dark or be afraid of advancements. We need to have the ability to adapt.

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Josiah Viergutz Josiah Viergutz

Vision optimization: Structure

Our visual system is configured in such a way that we see patterns even if they don’t exist and at the same time see whole, continuous shapes. Gestalt principles come from the German word for shape or figure.

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